Boys tennis squads from Joplin and Neosho suffered Central Ozark Conference setbacks on Thursday.
OZARK 8, JOPLIN 1
OZARK, Mo. — Joplin coach Aaron Stump noted his team continues to make positive strides.
“Last year against Ozark, we didn’t win any matches and won a total of 16 games,” Stump said. “This year, we won a match at No. 3 singles and got 42 games on their team. We’re having stronger matches as our season progresses, especially when compared to last year, and I’m proud of the development I’m seeing in our players.”
Joplin’s lone win came at No. 3 singles, where Leif Garrity defeated Nathaniel Bottarel 8-6.
“Leif had an impressive match,” Stump said. “He played long rallies on repeat, keeping the ball in play until he won the point.”
At No. 1 singles, Ozark’s Connor Kitchin defeated Adam Badr 8-5, while Stephen Metcalf topped Josiah Hazlewood 8-1 at No. 2 singles.
At No. 4 singles, Ozark’s Ethan Fast edged Hunter Merkley 8-6.
“Hunter held steady most of his match,” Stump commented. “He played some really good points and kept pace throughout the match.”
At No. 5 singles, Benjamin Romano defeated Joplin’s Roman Venturella 8-5 and Coltyn Boyer beat Chapel Braman 8-3 at No. 6 singles.
In doubles, Kitchin-Metcalf defeated Badr-Hazlewood 8-4, Bottarel-Romano beat Michael Mancipe-Merkley 8-3 and Fast-Boyer edged Garrity-Venturella 9-7.
“Our No. 3 doubles team started off strong, but lost their momentum later in the match,” Stump noted.
Joplin is at the Truman Tournament on Saturday.
WILLARD 9, NEOSHO 0
WILLARD, Mo. — Willard swept all six singles matches and all three doubles matches against the Wildcats.
In singles, Willard’s Caden Lingenfelser beat Christian Williams 8-0, Dawson Amstutz topped Willis Jarvis 8-2, Seth Miller beat Reid Snyder 8-3, Gabriel Hernandez defeated Peyton Williams 8-2, Christian Ryan beat Breckin McAffrey 8-3 and Jonathan Lupescu topped Noah Schade 8-0.
In doubles, Amstutz-Miller defeated C. Williams-Schade 8-0, Lingenfelser-Luke Taylor beat Jarvis-McAffrey 8-0 and Lupescu-Ryan edged Snyder-P. Williams 8-6.
Neosho (2-7) hosts Aurora on Monday and Nixa on Tuesday.
